Leo Varadkar (Dublin West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The figures I have from the HSE and Department of Health indicate that we are seeing a levelling off in waiting lists. There has been an 18% reduction in those waiting for initial speech and language therapy treatment according to the latest available data. The latest available data from October indicates a small reduction in physiotherapy waiting lists of approximately 3% and approximately 6% for occupational therapy. That is pretty minor in terms of reductions in waiting lists and is not a satisfactory situation.

As I said, there is no lack of political will or money; both are in abundance.

The challenge we face is in organising the services and also in making sure that we can train, recruit and retain the right number of staff. It is very much a priority stream of work for the Government at the moment.

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